The rear polarizer of a reflective display includes a diffuse reflector, such as brushed aluminum. This layer reflects polarized ambient light that has entered the front of the display back trough the LCD cell. Reflective displays require ambient light to be seen. They exhibit high brightness, excellent contrast, and wide viewing angles. They are particularly suitable for use in battery operated equipment where an adequate level of light is always available. Reflective LCD's cannot be backlit, however they can be front lighted in some applications.
Transmissive displays have a clear polarizer on the front and the back. The display therefore depends on light coming through from the back of the display toward the observer in order to be seen. Most but not all transmissive displays are negative image, and we sometimes add colored filters to different areas of the display to highlight different annunciators.
Transflective displays have a rear polarizer which includes a translucent material which reflects part of the ambient light, and also transmits backlighting. As the name implies, it is a compromise between the transmissive and reflective viewing mode. Used in reflection, it is not as bright and has lower contrast than the reflective type LCD, but it can be backlit for use in low light conditions.